Photo Credit: Charlotte Rush

Junior hockey does not exist without billet families. Who are billets?

They are selfless souls who work and live in the community of junior hockey teams around the world who open their homes and hearts to young players trying to get to their next level of hockey. Many billets have life long relationships with their families after their junior hockey careers are over.

Why are we discussing this now?

Well, the Columbia Infantry are working hard to find places for their players to stay in and around Irmo, South Carolina for the upcoming season.

They still need your help.

Hear from Head Coach Jacob Smulevitch for more.

“Billets are the most important thing to any junior hockey program. Without billets a program cannot function to its best ability.

The bond that players form with their billets is incredibly special. They truly become part of the family. They spend holidays, birthdays, and even the bad days together. Many players will continue their built relationship with their billet family long past the season coming to an end.

For families that have kids especially kids who play hockey it is like adding a big brother / mentor to the house hold. Our players spend time with the family, play with the kids, they don’t just sit in their rooms playing video games.

I truly believe billeting although maybe different at first is one of the most special experiences in youth sports.”

To reach out to him, email Jsmulevitch@columbiainfantry.com, junior hockey needs billets, and the Infantry could still use your help.

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